Angela Turner
About
Q&A
Question: Can you tell us a bit about you, and what you are up to these days?
Answer I enjoy a busy life, combining many different facets of music. For the most part, there's performing and teaching; thinking, writing and speaking about music; and authoring and editing music publications. There's always several things happening at once. <br> <br> I've taught at the Queensland Conservatorium in numerous capacities since 1998, and currently lead a piano program in the pre-tertiary environment. I also teach piano at the University of Queensland. Chamber music is a passion; performing with my colleagues in the Lyrebird Trio continues to be fulfilling and enriching. Unbelievably, it's been almost ten years since we won the piano trio and audience prizes at the Asia Pacific Chamber Music Competition. Like most, we've endured an extended pandemic hiatus, however, returning to performance and travel this year has been a renewal. I'm also currently working on my fourth piano publication for Hal Leonard.
Question: What was a highlight of your time in AYO programs?
Answer Meeting like-minded musicians and tutors on a national scale. As a student, I learnt so much from the tutors as they were able to expand my awareness and provide new skills and perspective. Combined with the AYO environment, where everyone is aspiring to achieve great things in a short period of time, it was all very inspiring!
Question: Why do you think AYO is important to the Australian cultural landscape?
Answer Once you've done an AYO program, you can't help but feel like you've all been part of something very special. As a tutor, it was an honour to be able to contribute back to the organisation that has been so transformative for so many. There are few opportunities like AYO on a national scale. The direct connection to professional industry, and the mentorship that is provided, as well as the ongoing relationships with your peers... all of this provides memories, connections and experience to draw upon for the rest of your life. <br> <br> If you multiply that by the tens of thousands of Australian instrumentalists, composers, music journalists, radio broadcasters, sound engineers and arts administrators who have been through an AYO program throughout its history, one starts to understand the impact of AYO, and the rich cultural contribution it makes to Australia.
Question: How would you describe AYO in three words?
Answer Inspirational, transformative, consequential.
Question: What was one of the first pieces of music to inspire you?
Answer Beethoven’s Violin Concerto. It was the first classical cassette tape my parents played for me, and I listened to it constantly until the tape wore out.
Question: Which composer would you invite to a dinner party and why?
Answer I feel guilty for not listing them all, because I'd love to get to know them all better and to see if they match my imagination! I feel like Haydn would be hilarious and the life of the party; being the third wheel to Brahms and Beethoven in deep conversation; hearing Clara Schumann talk about her life; just hanging out with Shostakovich nervously sitting in the corner.